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"Special moment": Inaugural Sun produces history at the death
Jaiden Sciberras • September 7th, 2025 10:40 am
Inaugural Sun David Swallow has produced one of the great moments in AFL history, kicking the game-winning point in an Elimination Final to cement the club’s first ever finals victory at the death.
Mid-week, 32-year-old Swallow announced his retirement at season’s end, playing out what sits as the Suns’ greatest ever season and entering his first ever finals series with the club.
Having been selected with the first overall pick in 2010, Swallow was Gold Coast’s first ever draft selection, playing 14 seasons without ever making to the post-season, handing Swallow the unwanted record of the most career games (247) without a single finals appearance.
Featuring in the side’s VFL program throughout the season, Swallow was called up to the senior squad for what was his and his club’s first trip in September, and it was he who was rewarded with the biggest moment in Suns’ history.
Entering the do-or-die clash against Fremantle as a substitute, Swallow was injected into the Elimination Final in the last exchange, and with less than a minute to play and the scores level, was awarded a free kick for a hold inside forward 50.
Slotting the goal, Swallow sent his team a goal up with just nine seconds to play, before a score review determined that the shot had been touched by the man on the mark in Neil Erasmus.
But the behind was enough, with the siren at Optus Stadium marking Suns’ history, winning their first ever final against the odds.
In what looked to be his final career game, Swallow walked away the hero and extended his career by at least one more week.
“To be honest, I thought I lost us the game a couple minutes earlier,” Swallow told 7.
“To have that moment… then it was reversed… I don’t know, it was a bloody good game.
“It’s been an extraordinary week. The boys played unbelievably tonight, I had a small part in the end and got a little bit lucky. It’s pretty cool.”
Asked what the club means to him, Swallow admitted that developing up north has been a hallmark of his adulthood.
“It’s been my whole adult life, living up on the Gold Coast and trying to make a go of it,” he said.
“I know how hard this group works. Our fans deserve it, everyone involved deserves it, so it’s a good story.”
Having played just seven home and away games and named sub in four in 2025, Swallow’s place in the team was hardly guaranteed, particularly as his last appearance dated back to Round 19.
Coach Damian Hardwick emphatically announced mid-week that the veteran midfielder would suit up – a selection call marking history.
“He actually came over to my house on Monday night and told me. It was a bit dark; I was putting the kids to bed, and it was a bit weird, but it was a pretty special moment.”
With the win, the Suns have progressed to the semi-final, facing the Brisbane Lions in what is set to be the greatest Q-Clash in its short history.
Beyond the bracket, the semi-final will mark Swallow’s 249th career AFL game, meaning a win and progression into a Preliminary Final against Geelong will allow Swallow to hit the 250-game milestone.
